The Venus 188 family was a revolutionary cam-switching chronograph movement design introduced in 1948. It was much cheaper to build than column wheel chronograph movements and laid the foundation for today’s ETA/Valjoux 7750, one of the most popular movements ever produced.
The 14 ligne 188 family was introduced in 1950 and augmented in 1953 with the 12.5 ligne Venus 210 family. After Venus was acquired by Valjoux, the 188 design was lightly modified with a mobile stud carrier and re-launched as the Valjoux 7730 in 1966. It was further refined as the Valjoux 7733 before automatic winding was added for the Valjoux 7750.
- First Generation (1948-1969)
- Valjoux (1966-1973)
- Valjoux 7730
- Valjoux 7731 – New balance cock
- Revised Valjoux (1969-1978)
- Valjoux 7733
- Valjoux 7734 – Date
- Valjoux 7736 – Hour Counter
- Valjoux 7737 – Regatta Timer
More detail on the history of Vénus is available in the Grail Watch article, “The Rise of Vénus, Legendary Chronograph Maker“